- The ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed an enormous strain on active duty military personnel, returning veterans, and their families. As a result of long and multiple deployments, exposure to combat, physical injuries, an increase in traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Veterans are prone to all the addiction problems prevalent in the general population, but recently returning combat veterans appear to have higher rates of problematic alcohol, drug, and prescription medication use.Co-Occurring Disorders- Co-occurring disorders are mood-related disorders or mental disorders which occur at the same time

- Individuals with substance use conditions often have a mental health condition at the same time

- Studies show that there is a strong relationship between PTSD and SUD, in both civilian and military populations, as well as for both men and women

- In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 1 in 10 returning soldiers seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.

- PTSD and SUD, it is likely that he or she also has other health problems, relationship problems , or problems in functioning . Using drugs and/or alcohol can make PTSD symptoms worse.

(PTSD: National Center for PTSD,2015)Services to Veterans- The VA offers a number of options for those seeking treatment for substance use problems.

- These options include therapy, either alone with the therapist or in a group, as well as medications to help veterans reduce their use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

- National Center of PTSD

- Treatments that do not involve medications involve one or more of the following:

- Increasing and making clearer the veteran’s motivation for change- Helping veterans to improve their skills for spotting and dealing with triggers and relapse risks- Counseling couples together on how to recover from substance abuse and how to improve relationships- Getting outside support for recovery, including programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)- Looking at how substance use problems may relate to other problems such as PTSD and depression.(PTSD: National Center for PTSD,2015)References